The next morning, Marlene hid the book under the bed before she went to wash up. After her bath she heard talking downstairs. She came to the garden room; Marcus was talking to an older man. When Marlene walked in Marcus stopped talking. The older man had his back to her as she stood up. He turned around, tears started to roll down his face. “My dearest daughter,” he said softly, he embraced her with a huge hug. “You’ve finally come home.”

Mary came in with breakfast, it looked wonderful. Over breakfast, Marlene asked many questions about her past.

Marlene wrote down everything she could remember from her interactions with her family at breakfast.

She made a list:

Name-Marlene Watson

Brother- Marcus Watson

Father- Landon Watson

Job- Engineer at her father’s shop

Husband- ?

She kept asking about her husband during their get together, but every time she asked, Missus Mary, Marcus, and Landon, her father; would change the subject. Marlene knew it was up to her alone to find out what happened to her husband. Her father led her down to their shop after breakfast.

“I haven’t been here in ages,” he said as he looked at his dusty shop.

“Why did you stop coming in here?” Marlene asked curiously.

“Well, after you disappeared, it was hard for me, so I decided to go live in the country side away from the city you loved so much.” He picked up a small brass trinket and observed it thoughtfully. “This place reminded me of you too much.” He added softly.

“Why don’t we reopen it again?” Marlene stated, “You did say this shop was the best in the city.”

Landon laughed, “That’s very true he replied.” After a pause he said, “why not.” Marlene smiled widely, a feeling of familiar excitement washed over her with the thought of tinkering away in her father’s shop.

The next day Marlene went to the London County Hall, to look up everything they needed to get in order to re-open the shop. After gathering the information she needed, she wandered upstairs to find records on what happened 7 years ago. She came up to the counter and was greeted by two identical men.

“How can we help you miss?” said one of the men.

“Yes, thank you, may I look at the city records on what happened 7 years ago.” She asked politely.

“Oh, yes, I see. Are you trying to find out the phenomenon that took place in our city?” said the other twin. The only distinguishing feature Marlene could find between the twins was one had a small mole on his chin and the other did not.

“This way Miss….”

“Ashmore, Marlene Ashmore.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Ashmore. This way please.” The twin with the mole on his chin led the way while his brother followed behind Marlene.

All together they walked up to the third floor, “Here we are. The Hall of Records,” they both said in unison. Marlene walked down the hall and saw books, scrolls and paper crammed into shelves.

She came back to the twins; one had a stack of books and papers on a table nearby.

“This will get you started,” said one

“Holler if you need anything else.” The other twin smiled softly. They both went back downstairs together.

Marlene started looking through the stacks of papers first. A few hours went by and she learned a little more about the city, but it wasn’t what she wanted.

One of the twins walked in to the room to check up on her, “have you found what you wanted Miss Ashmore?”

“Not really.” She replied somewhat defeated. “I want to know what happened on the day I disappeared.” She added. The man’s eyes got wide and then he looked around cautiously, then whispered, “well that would be a little harder seeing that those records are kept in the restricted section, you’d need to have a key in order to get in.” he said

Marlene furrowed her brow in disappointment and frustration.

The man sighed, “Well people say that the villain of the city has a key somehow.”

“The one they call Ring Master?” Marlene asked, “yes” he replied softly.

Marlene thanked him and started to leave.

“Be careful, he isn’t the nicest person around.” The twin shouted as she left, smirking.

Marlene didn’t know how she was going to track down the number one villain in the city, let alone ask for the key from him.